Getting hardtop painted

[kman0066]

I purchased a hard-top from a dark green Elise that I want to get painted to match my Storm-Titanium Elise. Is there anything special I need to tell the paint shop like what kind of paint to use? Any tips for me? Any clues to what it should cost?

I'm not going to be too picky on a perfect match as long as it looks good to the naked eye.

[QuadCamSix]

Im not being critical but why not paint it black. While you're at it you could paint the roll cover black to match. I have seen pics of the ST with black top and it looks really good! That way you dont have to worry about paint matching.

[gpheck]

I have a white lotus with black top and top boomerang piece behind top. pm me if you want me to send you some pics later (i'd have to take them when I get home)

As for repainting.. its kind of a bitch because if you want to do it right youve got to remove everything from the top (seals, etc) if you want to fully paint it.

I went flat black on my top and access panels and castank lid etc to match my black wheels.. imo it looks great..

not sure what itll look like on storm titanium, but depending on your other accents it could look good

[mcoupe]

I have been thinking of painting my top black as well for my Storm Ti. WOuld love to see pix though!

[kestrel74]

Make sure you have the right color code......( search )

[RoadDad]

There are 2 different color codes for Storm Titanium based on the year of your car. Don't search the site for the color code. It should be listed on the drivers side door sill. Make sure you use the correct one.

As far as the black top, I wouldn't like it. I think the car looks funny with the black soft top and extending that look to the roll hoop cover wouldn't work for me.

[kman0066]

I've thought about going black, but I like the look of the matched top better. There is another sTi Elise around here I saw and loved the look of the matched top. Thanks for the tip on the color code, I thought they were all the same.

I know Green and silver doesn't match on the car.

[David Craig]

Originally Posted by kman0066

I purchased a hard-top from a dark green Elise that I want to get painted to match my Storm-Titanium Elise. Is there anything special I need to tell the paint shop like what kind of paint to use? Any tips for me? Any clues to what it should cost?

I'm not going to be too picky on a perfect match as long as it looks good to the naked eye.

I was quoted $300 Canadian to paint an Elise hardtop. That is just the top surface. You don't need to paint the bottom surface because that is hidden once the top is in place. The body shop I talked to said that if I could provide the Lotus paint code the match would be quite close.

I haven't had any of this done though. Someone on this site who had had their hardtop successfully done told me about it.

[tesprit]

Originally Posted by David Craig

I was quoted $300 Canadian to paint an Elise hardtop. That is just the top surface. You don't need to paint the bottom surface because that is hidden once the top is in place. The body shop I talked to said that if I could provide the Lotus paint code the match would be quite close.

I haven't had any of this done though. Someone on this site who had had their hardtop successfully done told me about it.

I had mine repainted for $200 US by the local body shop. It is a perfect color and surface match to the rest of the car and they did the whole top. My car is AR which of course is a solid color so YMMV.

[KeepItClear]

I really gotta get some pictures up of mine right now. I have a storm titanium / wet carbon fiber combo, love it. hardtop,rollbar cover, access panels, engine lid

[kman0066]

Now carbon fiber would be cool to match my reverie carbon fiber side scoops, but unless someone wants to trade a carbon fiber top for a green Lotus top, that probably won't happen. I'd love to see pics of it though.